It was a bit of an odd timing after the other three qualifiers for the World Baseball Classic happened early in the season, but the final four finalists played for the final spot in the 2017 International tournament last weekend in Brooklyn. Playing on Coney Island at the home of the Brooklyn Cyclones (NYM Short Season), teams from Israel, Great Britain, Brazil and Pakistan competed to join the field of 16.
Like the other qualifiers, this was a double elimination tournament and the first time Pakistani team didn’t fare so well. They played the opener against Brazil on Thursday and were blown out 10-0 in seven only to see it happen again as they lost 14-0 in seven against Great Britain on Friday. They were the only team without at least a Major League affiliated prospect and this kind of result should have been expected, but they are worthy of recognition just for getting this far.
A couple interesting players were Faqir Hussein, who hit two doubles in four at bats, and catcher Umair Imdad Bhatti who hit a double while going 2 for 3. Considering they were outscored 24-0, it shouldn’t be a surprise that their pitchers didn’t fare well with the best, Inayat Khan, allowing four earned runs in 4.1 innings against Brazil.
Brazil would have been a fair team for Tribe fans to root for to get into the tournament next Spring as both current Indian, Yan Gomes and former Indians farm hand, Juan Gomes, qualify to play for the team. After winning game one against Pakistan, they lost one run games to Israel (1-0) and GB (4-3). With the Gomes’ brothers and thus the Indians connection not playing this time, the most interesting duo were the Bichette’s, Bo and Dante Jr, the progeny of the original Dante Bichette. Dante the second played first and batted .400/.538/.700 in three games with a triple and a steal. He was originally a first round pick by the Yankees in 2011 and is still in their system although a little old now at 23 and still in AA.
Andre Rienzo, the first Brazilian born pitcher to play in the Major Leagues, is currently with the Marlins after starting his career in Chicago also played well for the Amazonians. He started their elimination game against Great Britain and, while they lost, he struck out eight while allowing just one run in five innings.
The Indians only active player in this particular qualifier belonged to the UK club by way of the Bahamas. Todd Isaacs played in all four of Great Britain’s games, starting each in right field batting third, fourth and sixth. Overall, the Indians short season A outfielder batted .214/.250/.286 after hitting .333/.384/.514 in a full season with Mahoning Valley this year. Isaacs hit a double, stole a base (was caught stealing as well) and knocked in three. As far as a prospect valuation, this series was too short and against too wide a variety of talent to be of use, but it was certainly an honor for the 20 year old to play for his home land (kind of).
While the UK (and occupied territories) did lose to Israel twice, it had nothing to do with former Indians Spring Training invitee (2015), Michael Roth. The left hander started the first game between the top two teams in this round and pitched 6.1 innings, allowing just one run to score with four strike outs and no walks. Roth spent the 2016 season in the Texas system, but they were nice enough to DFA him on September 11th so he could play in the tournament (that’s not why they DFA’d him).
That leaves Israel, who won their first game against Britain against Vaughan Harris, who blew Roth’s lead. After beating Brazil 1-0, Israel was the only team with a 2-0 record and a guaranteed spot in the championship game Sunday. This time, Israel took the English to task with a 9-1 blow out including the first home run of the tournament by Blake Gailen (MiLB free agent formerly with the Angels and Rangers).
The Israeli team had the most established pitching staff of the four and they used that to win in the finale. In particular, Jason Marquis (who retired after a poor season in Cincinnati last year) pitched twice throwing seven innings with six strike outs and just one walk. He allowed only one run in his two starts and threw four perfect innings with 5 K’s in the championship game.
Former Indians left handed reliever Craig Breslow (7 games in 2008) also pitched in two games including the finale, where he retired his only batter faced. Overall, he allowed two hits and no runs while striking out two in 1.1 innings. Breslow pitched for the Marlins earlier this year and was signed by the Rangers after his release, but was released again in August (the Rangers were very supportive of the WBC this year).
With a perfect 3-0 record, Israel prevailed and will join Australia, Mexico and Colombia as the fourth new qualifier for 2017. While Mexico and Australia have been in the tournament and had to win the qualifier just to earn their entry after finishing last in the last WBC, Colombia and Israel will be making it past the qualifying round for the first time. In that 2013 qualifier, Colombia lost to Panama (who ultimately lost to Brazil) and Israel in a close final game to Spain. This time, however, these two new teams will get a chance to play with the big boys next March.
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